[Symphony]

Thanks to Steffan has a chance to try the Panda GSM/GPRS CF Card at gathering just now. He said he bought in in Shanghai for about S$200. So those who are going to Shanghai may want to get one. The AudioVox model cost more S$400+ here, so the Panda one is a good buy. They are probably the same OEM product with rebranding. See
http://xinhua.mypric...ucts/19371.html

This card essentially almost turn your PPC into a phone. It can call/receive calls and SMSes and surf gprs. The "it" is important as the voice is through the card audio port with earpiece/mic provided...it is not through the PPC itself. The software interface is through PPC. Just tap the tel number with stylus and it will dial for you. ...alto it takes about 50 seconds to do so and connect you.

It is pretty good, kinda plug and play stuff, just slot into CF slot of your PPC and software called MSuite auto initialised and it is ready for dialling/sms. There is no need to configure anything for phone calls and SMS. For surfing you will need to do some setup as usual. It can also use PPC's contact list. Your SIM card is slotted in the card. The Panda's MSuite Software is better than AudioVox's IA Dialler (which is pretty lame, and cannot work on WM2003/SE and WM5). MSuite works on my X50v (WM 5) flawlessly. Size, form and design of the card is almost identical to AudioVox's.

It also can be used on a Notebook with a PCMCIA adaptor. :grin:

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This post has been edited by Symphony: 04 February 2006 - 10:00 PM

[Airconvent]

Symphony, on Feb 4 2006, 09:53 PM, said:

Thanks to Steffan has a chance to try the Panda GSM/GPRS CF Card at gathering just now. He said he bought in in Shanghai for about S$200. So those who are going to Shanghai may want to get one. The AudioVox model cost more S$400+ here, so the Panda one is a good buy.  They are probably the same OEM product with rebranding. See

don't worry, I am selling the audiovox for $200 second hand...so PM me if anyone is interested. :grin:
too bad I missed the chance to join in as I had to visit a colleague in the hospital...
any other reports from this meer?

[O2mini_noob]

Airconvent, on Feb 5 2006, 01:40 AM, said:

don't worry, I am selling the audiovox for $200 second hand...so PM me if anyone is interested.  :grin:
too bad I missed the chance to join in as I had to visit a colleague in the hospital...
any other reports from this meer?

What's your opinion of the Audiovox based on everyday usage?

[Techno]

How do people call in ? Or do you use a headset ? Interested in it .

[O2mini_noob]

Techno, on Feb 5 2006, 12:39 PM, said:

How do people call in ? Or do you use a headset ? Interested in it .

According to reports, the sound goes through the CF card and there is no option to use with headset.

[yingjie]

Sounds pretty cool, anyone intending to sell me one?

[Symphony]

Techno, on Feb 5 2006, 03:39 AM, said:

How do people call in ? Or do you use a headset ? Interested in it .

When calls comes in the software will activate ringtone through your PPC. However you need to press the answer button on the provided earpiece and answer through earpiece's mic. You cannot answer through the PPC's mic or hear through PPC's speaker. So the earpiece must always be attached to the CF card's audio port. And on top of that, your PPC must always be ON as the card has no power supply. Alto you can toggle screen off to save power using mSuite. Your PPC cannot be in suspend mode for this to work.

Also finding a leather case for it will be impossible. You need to use a pouch.

It is not advisable to use this on X50v/X51v as the battery can only last may be 2-3 hours with this card slotted in. But if you use 2 pcs of 2200 mAH extended battery it may last you through the day.

It will be better to use it on 4700 as battery life is much better.

This post has been edited by Symphony: 05 February 2006 - 03:12 PM

[yingjie]

How much does it stick out in X50v

[Symphony]

yingjie, on Feb 5 2006, 08:07 AM, said:

How much does it stick out in X50v

The black plastic portion and antenna all juts out.l The small bar at the top that can swivel out is the antenna :grin:

[Airconvent]

Hi yingjie,
I'm selling the original one! PM me if you are interested.

O2mini_noob :
The earphone is connected directly to the CF card. The card does not operate through the pda speakers so you need the earphones to hear and speak.
overall, for daily usage, you will have to accept the CF card does jut out of the CF slot.
if you are ok with that, then there's no issue. I like my stuff small and neat and I DO prefer to use a normal handphone. also, the pda has to be kept on all the time for the phone to work, so you will have to operate the pda with screen off when not in use.

I think this hardware is more for people who have no access to wireless hotspot but wants to stay connected all the time. you can log in to check emails etc as long as there is gsm or gprs coverage...(which is 99.9% of singapore!).